Many types of scopes are currently being used in the military, the most common being the Advanced Combat Optical Gunsight (ACOG). The ACOG has a fixed magnification ranging from 1.5x to 6x, the inside of the scope is based on a refracting telescope. During the day, the ACOG has a fibre optic light pipe which allows light to get in, at night when the light pipe has no function, the internal phosphor lights up the scope and reticle.
Typical scope assembly, showing the different types of lenses used
Holographic
Another common type of sight used in the military is the Holographic sight. The holographic sight doesn't use the typical "refracting telescope" style, instead it has a laser diode that reflects off of 3 different mirrors and projects a reticle out the front, to the target.
Military Optics
Optical Sights/Scopes
ACOG
Many types of scopes are currently being used in the military, the most common being the Advanced Combat Optical Gunsight (ACOG). The ACOG has a fixed magnification ranging from 1.5x to 6x, the inside of the scope is based on a refracting telescope. During the day, the ACOG has a fibre optic light pipe which allows light to get in, at night when the light pipe has no function, the internal phosphor lights up the scope and reticle.Holographic
Another common type of sight used in the military is the Holographic sight. The holographic sight doesn't use the typical "refracting telescope" style, instead it has a laser diode that reflects off of 3 different mirrors and projects a reticle out the front, to the target.